LOPHOPHANES, 83 
Genus LOPHOPHANES Kaup, 1829. 
This genus is very similar to Parus, but can be distinguished by 
the shape of its tail which is square or slightly forked. Our 
Indian species are crested but others are not and even 
in the same species the crest may be absent, moderate or well 
developed as in Lophophanes ater ater which has no crest, and in 
L. a. emodius which has a long one. 
Key to Species. 
A. With a double row of spots on the wing- 
coverts, 
@ APAOnIeM ITOR-PREVE Vea a. 5 visisie e's L. melanolophus, p. 83. 
6b. Abdomen ferruginous ......... «ees. L. ater emodius, p. 84. 
B. With no spots on wing-coverts. 
e. Chin and throat black or blackish. 
a', Breast and abdomen ferruginous.... LZ. rudidiventris, p. 84. 
Si tBrenst black © Fis ovis cat ans bo L. rufonuchalis, p. 83. 
d, Chin and throat fulvous grey ........ LL. dichrous, p. 86. 
(63) Lophophanes melanolophus. 
Tur Crested Bracx-Trv. 
Parus melanolophus Vigors, P. Z.8., i, p. 28 (1831) (Timalayas). 
Lophophanes melanolophus. Blanf. & Oates, 1, p. 57. 
Vernacular names. None recorded. 
Description. Forehead, crown, crest, hind neck, lores, chin, 
throat and crest deep black; a large patch on the nape white ; 
the ear-coverts extending down the sides of the neck, the cheeks 
and under the eye white; upper plumage iron-grey, the exposed 
parts of the wing and tail paler; the middle and lower series of 
the wing-coverts, the inner and some of the outer secondaries 
tipped with white, the tips of the coverts more or less tinged with 
rufous; lower plumage from the breast downwards iron-grey; 
the under wing-coverts, axillaries and a portion of the flanks 
chestnut ; under tail-coverts nearly all chestnut. 
Colours of soft parts. Bill black; legs, feet and claws dark 
bluish grey ; iris brown (Davison). 
Measurements. Length about 110 mm.; wing 60 to 63 mm.; tail 
about 37 to 38 mm.; tarsus about 16 mm.; culmen about 6 mm. 
The young have the head brown; the upper plumage greyish- 
brown; the wing spots very rufous; the chin, throat, and crest 
brown; the remainder of the lower plumage fulvous-brown with 
the axillaries pale chestnut. 
Distribution. The Himalayas from Afghanistan to Garhwal, 
between 6,000 and 12,000 feet. 
Nidification. Breeds at all heights from the end of March to the 
middle of June, most eggs being laid in May. The nest may be 
placed in any convenient hole, in tree, wall, bank or rock. It has 
generally a substantial basis of moss, sometimes several inches 
G2 
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